Practical CPU time performance tuning for security software: Part 2

Yamin Tian's article delves into the intricacies of optimizing CPU time performance related to security software, specifically focusing on application startup times. It highlights how security applications, which often sit on the critical path of an application's launch, can significantly impact startup speeds by blocking or allowing execution. Tian suggests using performance testing to measure this impact, establishing a baseline for comparison with and without security software. Once performance issues are identified, the article advises isolating problematic features and using code instrumentation to pinpoint delays. It discusses alternatives to traditional methods, such as using the macOS Endpoint Security framework to obtain code signing information, which can reduce startup time impacts without compromising security. The article underscores the importance of addressing performance early in the development process and suggests using tools like Elastic Observability for ongoing monitoring and improvement.